Guatemalans Resist Invasion of North American Mines

Mines also contaminate the water.  The Marlin mine has a tailing pond containing the acidic mixture of cyanide, arsenic, heavy and radioactive metals, explosives, and other chemicals – normal for a mine using cyanide to extract gold.  On September 23, 2010 at night, this contaminated water was discharged into the Quivichil River, which runs into Mexico.

Crisanta Pérez told us, “On Nov 29, 2012 we went to look at the spring and found pipes from the mine discharging into the river that goes through the community – it is now a contaminated river.”

Both FREDEMI and Solomon told us about a lot of skin problems and hair loss.  According to Solomon, “In 2008-09 various people have had skin problems – two of them died.  Their bodies were covered with painful rashes, and then they died.”

Cattle have been dying from drinking the water from the river.  Diodora Hernandez told us, “The mother of a calf was poisoned.  The water was pure white, like milk.”  Her horse also died from the poisoned water.  There are many other reports from shepherds whose cattle have died after drinking water downstream from the mine.

http://www.globalresearch.ca/guatemalans-resist-invasion-of-north-american-mines/5318080